New Delhi: Cyclone 'Fani' intensified into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on Tuesday and is headed towards the Odisha coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. "The severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' over the southeast and adjoining the southwest Bay of Bengal has moved north-northwestwards with a speed of about 16 kmph, intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm," the IMD said in its bulletin.

Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner, Bishnupada Sethi on preparedness for cyclone #FANI: IMD has predicted cyclone is likely to hit Odisha coast in Puri district on 3rd May. All district collectors have been alerted. All cyclone centres are being kept ready. pic.twitter.com/7BWehMIG1r

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2019

"It is very likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during next 36 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards till May 1 evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards towards the Odisha coast," it said. On Monday, the Odisha government directed the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to keep a close watch over the situation and asked departments concerned to stay prepared to deal with any eventuality.